John's Arcade Forum - Classic Arcade and Pinball Collecting and Restoring Discussion Forum - RETRO MAME - Nintendo Vs Forum

electronics make my brain melt. :P
i'm a mechanic, contractor, and even a house electrician, but the magic in computers escapes me.
i have friends & family that know it well, but i can't afford them, and wouldn't want to be a burden.

i'm ramping up for being an arcade collector, but i really need reference books to bring me up to speed.

i've started a wish list on amazon, but any insight would help.

thanks, fellow geeks,
kevin

what kind of things do you specifically want to learn? For most issues with arcade boards a lot of the mechanical approaches you are familiar with probably will carry over quite well.

if you want to learn how to read schematics https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-read-a-schematic is a good place to start.

if you want to learn more of the physics of electronics, such as how current and voltage work. there is a whole course at KHAN that would be helpful https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/electricity-and-magnetism

Those two things will help you understand at least the very basics of electronics. Always feel free to post questions here and someone will reply to you.

well, i won't be repairing any boards, unless there's a picture tutorial.
mostly i need to understand the function of all components, so i can diagnose and replace.
REMOVE & REPLACE and spit n polish will be my methods.

as far as electronics theory, i get it, but i lack the attention span to finish tracing a circuit and remembering why i started tracing it.
 ??? seriously.  ???

i think i'll start with several i've seen on amazon.  they'll at least get me familiar with terms and brand nuances.
aside from that, i really need to just peel into some cabinets.

It sounds like you want to learn about logic gates.  Since everything else is going to be more technical than you want to devote time to.
http://www.skot9000.com/ttl/

That website has basically every data sheet for 7400 series logic chips. These cover a solid 90%+ of chips found on pre early 90s games.

Best book ever. I love it:

http://www.radioshack.com/getting-started-in-electronics-book/6200100.html#.VJJNB2TF9Ns

It hasn't changed in 30 years either. it's amazing.

nice review of it with some pictures:

http://mightyohm.com/blog/2008/12/the-greatest-electronics-book-ever-written/

Good thread, could be a sticky.

+1  I read this book so many times as a kid.

Found this free pdf on soldering

"Soldering is Easy"
http://mightyohm.com/soldercomic/

excellent.  thank you all.
i did save the list of 7400 logic chips, but i noticed my eyes crossed pretty quick when i'd actually look at it's contents.
i ordered the book about beginner's electronics, and i look forward to getting into a new field of study.
thanks for the little soldering comic, too.

hey, is tracing an unknown problem on a pcb done all the time?
seems like i'd stare at it for about 6 hours, then guess wrong.
perhaps more will become clear after some reading.

kevin

Of course tracing issues on pcbs are done all the time.  It's what I do every day.

i meant by dumbasses, like me. :P
i can read and understand diagrams and pcb gadgetry, but if there's any magic going on in those square insects and round firecrackers, ...i'm out.

also, a library sticky would be great.
electronics, yes, but also good collector's/evaluation books.
heck, maybe even the Hardy Boys: Trouble at the Arcade!  or not. ;D

Wish I could buy that book John recommended in Japan, but I kind find it for a reasonable price!!
！(◎_◎;)